Dental Assistant I

Dental Assistant I - $1,500 Sign-On Bonus

All About Hamilton Health Center

Hamilton Health Center (Hamilton), established in 1969, is the only Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) within a 30-mile radius of Harrisburg, PA and continues to grow using a holistic and comprehensive approach to being patient centered.  The mission of Hamilton is to improve the health of Central Pennsylvania’s residents by delivering high quality, respectful and patient-centered health and related social services that promote access, treatment, education, and prevention regardless of health, economic, or insurance status. Our vision is that every member of our community, regardless of their ability to pay or their insurance status, receives holistic, quality health care needed to create a healthy community. For over 50 years we have been true to these words. As part of our team, you will work alongside a dedicated team that cares and values those we serve.

Benefits offered: In addition to your base pay, you are also eligible to receive:

• Paid time off, Catastrophic (CAT)/Sick time, Birthday holiday, and 7 paid holidays.
• Medical, Dental & Vision,
• Company paid life insurance.
• Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program

Job Summary:  The Dental Assistant provides assistance to Dental Providers with direct patient care at a community based dental center/ and/or school-based center under the supervision of the Office Manager - Dental. Patient population includes all age groups with varied dental hygiene history and dental treatments.  

Essential duties and Responsibilities:   

1. Prepares Dental Operatories
   1. Sterilizes and disinfects instruments, using the autoclave and chemical sterilization when heat is contraindicated.
   2. Set up instrument trays for appropriate procedures.
   3. Prepares materials as required for dental procedures.
   4. Keeps the dental exam rooms stocked with equipment daily, preserves equipment, conserves supplies and performs related duties as required. 
   5. Maintains the cleanliness and professional appearance of exam rooms.
2. Patient Care.
   1. Controls the flow of patients for examination and/or treatment. 
   2. Prepares charts and forms, as needed. 
   3. Completes a history on each patient, collecting and recording health history. 
   4. Delivery patient personal oral care instruction, including oral hygiene and plaque control programs. 
   5. Delivery special instruction for procedures such as Extraction, RCT, Crown, Partial Denture and Complete Denture or any other necessities. 
   6. Prepares patient for Provider.
   7. Assist in maintaining patient care continuity; documents missed appointment in patient’s chart.
   8. Responsible for doing referrals for off-site services.
3. Assist Dental Providers during examination and treatment of patient.
   1. Work along side the dental provider during dental procedures, handing instruments and materials to dentist and keeping patients’ mouths dry and clear using suction or other devices. 
   2. Exposes, processes, mounts and files radiographs.
   3. Assists Dental Provider in providing dental treatment including the management of medical and dental emergencies.
   4. Provides postoperative instructions prescribed by dental provider. 
   5. Dental room disinfection according to OSHA and ADA Standards.
   6. Pouring impression and forward to lab with Dental Provider instruction slip. 
   7. Make note on computer for patient next step or next appointment.
   8. Instrument transfer
   9. Prepare dental materials, cements, amalgam, composite, impression materials, etc. 
4. Administrative
   1. Attends department meetings as required. 
   2. Provides dental assistance to all center locations as needed. 
   3. Manage dental office infection control plan to meet with OSHA and ADA standards. 
   4. Inventory control and management of room assigned or special assignment (Crown box or RCT box)
   5. Patient Pre-determination ADA form and forward to OM with appropriate X-Ray.
   6. Performs other duties as assigned.
5. Miscellaneous
   1. Helps maintain dental laboratory cleanliness
   2. Performs special duties with respect to laboratory, sterilization of area and dark room. 
6. Extended Function (if applicable) – additional duties may be assigned as permitted by state law and proper certification. 

Minimum Education/Certifications: Must be a graduate of accredited dental assistant program and be CPR Certified or able to obtain certification within 6 months of job placement. Must have current X-Ray Certification.

Minimum Work Experience:  Minimum of one years’ experience preferred. Must be able to work in a community based clinical environment and rotate to School Based setting when required by the Center and satisfactorily pass background screening including child abuse clearance. Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions. Will work with blood or blood-borne pathogens and will require OSHA training. 

Other Requirements: Reliable transportation to travel to recruitment events.

This job description is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.